Benn relaxes cross compliance rules to aid flood hit farmers

The move will allow farmers who are removing debris and repairing flood damage in the country to use vehicles on waterlogged soil until the end of the year.

Mr Benn said: “The recent extreme weather in Cumbria has caused a lot of distress and made life difficult for many people, including farmers.

“I have therefore today brought in this exemption to help Cumbrian farmers start their clean up and recovery. We will continue to do what we can to assist the community in rebuilding after the devastating flooding.”

The suspension relates to the Good Agricultural and Environment Condition standard, GAEC 3, prohibiting farmers from carrying out mechanical operations and using motorised vehicles on waterlogged soil. It was put in place to protect soils from compaction and structural damage caused by using vehicles when the soil is too wet.

The Defra Secretary has the power to vary or suspend the requirement in periods of exceptional weather conditions, as he has chosen to do in light of what has happened in Cumbria in the past week.

Farmers who wish to take advantage of the suspension to undertake urgent clean-up and repair are advised to record any soil damage from access to waterlogged soil, and the necessary remedial action that they will take, on their Soil Protection Review (GAEC 1). 

From January 1 2010, the restriction on accessing waterlogged soil will be replaced with a new obligation, removing the need for suspension of GAEC 3. 

Under the new obligation, farmers in England needing to access waterlogged soil will be able to do so, if they record the access, assess the risk to their soil and undertake any remedial action necessary.

The Guide to Cross Compliance and supporting guidance can be found on the RPA website at:

http://www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/UIMenu/43A4720D24091ACD802570C70045D83D?Opendocument

A cross compliance advice helpline (0845 345 1302) is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Further information is also available from www.crosscompliance.org.uk

.

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name